T20 World Cup: Australia Captain Marsh Explains Fraser-McGurk’s Omission

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said in-form batter Jake Fraser-McGurk is an “outstanding talent” but the team have all their bases covered, leaving no room for him in their squad for the Twenty20 World Cup.

Many believed Fraser-McGurk could be in contention for World Cup selection thanks to his scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League, where the 23-year-old has a batting strike rate of 233.33 for the Delhi Capitals and has scored a total of 259 runs, with more than half of those coming from sixes.

But those numbers in the IPL were not enough to secure him a spot in Australia’s squad ahead of incumbent openers Travis Head and David Warner, who were seen as stronger options.

“Jakey is an outstanding talent,” Marsh told Australian radio station SEN on Thursday. “I think you know the way he’s taking on the IPL, he’s taken it by storm, they’re all loving him.

“But certainly, the Delhi crew are enjoying his company and enjoying what he brings to the team.

“There’s no doubt that he’s going to have a huge future, wherever he plays. But we feel like we’ve got all bases covered within our team.”

Marsh, who will lead the squad after ex-captain Steve Smith was left out, said Head and Warner have been fantastic for the Aussies, who won the T20 World Cup in 2021.

“Heady and David Warner have been fantastic for us, not only for a long period of time but over the last 18 months building towards this World Cup,” Marsh explained.

“We’re really comfortable that we’ve got the right 15 [players], to hopefully take us deep into the World Cup.”

Despite his omission, Marsh expects young gun Fraser-McGurk to have a bright international career for Australia in white-ball cricket.

“He’s come along pretty quickly. There’s been a huge amount of talent that’s been identified from a young age,” Marsh said of McGurk, who has played two one-day internationals for Australia.

“We saw a glimpse of it throughout the Big Bash this year and you know that the IPL is a tough tournament.

“You can’t take a backward step and that’s certainly the way he plays his cricket.

“He’s got an exciting future.”

The World Cup will be held in the United States and the Caribbean starting June 2. Australia open their campaign against Oman in Barbados on June 5, before Group B fixtures against England, Namibia and Scotland.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.